CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After about two dozen accidents, there’s a new idea about how to get across State Road A1A a little safer. It’s not crosswalks being proposed in Cape Canaveral, though.
The city is considering whether an alternative option could get the same results.
The Florida Department of Transportation has proposed putting islands in the middle of the highway.
Instead of people jaywalking and getting stuck in the middle, they would have a spot built for them to wait to cross the other side of the road.
The islands would be at the 7-Eleven and at City Hall, where every month at a neighborhood block party called Friday Fest the sheriff’s office makes a temporary crosswalk.
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”I think we definitely need to make Cape Canaveral safer, and the biggest area that we’ve focused to do that is on A1A,” Mayor Wes Morrison said.
Morrison said the refuge islands could be a good solution.
“However, there are some concerns out there, as well, but FDOT is committed to making sure that those citizens are heard,” he said.
The mayor said FDOT will continue to receive public comments on the proposal for the next 10 to 12 days.
“I stay committed to listen to the residents, work with the council and city staff to make sure that we do this right,” Morrison said.
FDOT on Friday said the proposed pedestrian refuge islands is an interim solution for pedestrian safety, and the design and construction for crosswalks with pedestrian hybrid beacons is not funded.
“However, because of the immediate need for enhanced pedestrian safety in the study areas on State Road A1A, the proposed design of the refuge island is what can be accomplished sooner once approved,” FDOT said in an email to News 6.
Two years ago at S.R. A1A and North Atlantic Avenue, Mayor Morrison and the city council opposed FDOT building a roundabout.
If this proposal goes through, FDOT said it will build the islands next summer.
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